DCLM Higher Everyday 2 March 2023 — Living out the Christian love
DCLM Higher Everyday 2 March 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Living out the Christian love
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TOPIC: LIVING OUT THE CHRISTIAN LOVE
Text: 1 John 3:11-18
11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Key Verse: But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him” (1 John 3:17)
MESSAGE:
Practical Christianity is showing love to all. John W. Peterson’s song below illustrates this: Helping the widows and orphans in their need.
Healing the Sick ones and binding the hearts that bleed.
Feeding the hungry concerns the Lord above. By this we serve Him and demonstrate His Love.
Cups of cold water, given in Jesus’ name, Cups of cold water are never given in vain. Someday in heaven when we meet the Lord, Each deed of kindness will bring a rich reward.
The early disciples practised love in all its pureness. They cared for one another in word and in deed, sharing their possessions with the needy. God commands us to love one another actively. Active or practical love includes sharing, visiting the sick, the troubled and the imprisoned, as well as encouraging those whose faith is wavering. Active love doesn’t condemn or tear others down. Practical love is offering to help your overstressed parents or elderly persons for them to have moments of rest, and serving in the fellowship or teaching a classmate without expecting any material reward from him or her.
Quote: Showing love to all
Challenge: Give for the welfare of the less privileged.
Prayer: Help me Oh God, to love like Christ.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
